UAF math students may get an extra slice of pi

Submitted by Kim Davis
Phone: (907) 474-6726
08/24/04

The Jack Distad Memorial Scholarship begins with a story as unique as its originator, UAF alumnus Bill Benitz. Beginning in September of 2004, mathematics students with a grade point average of at least 3.14, which equates to pi, will be able to compete for the scholarship.

"Jack chased me down after reading my name in the local paper, and found me when I arrived at the University of Alaska Fairbanks," Benitz said. "I had a very strong relationship with the entire math department and with the dean of the school, which I wouldn’t have had if it weren’t for Jack," Benitz continued. "I started sending money earmarked for the chancellor’s scholarship each year, and the year Jack passed away, I marked the check ’in memory of Jack Distad,’ which got the attention of the folks in the math department," he explained.

Benitz grew up in the small town of Petersburg, Alaska. He credits his stellar academic achievements to the town’s Norwegian roots, which seemed to carry a strong emphasis on education, and were somewhat of a cultural phenomenon. "I don’t know if the town is still the way it was then," Benitz said. "I didn’t have television until the eighth grade. Instead I spent a lot of time reading in the library, which seemed very well equipped for such a small town." Benitz, a national merit scholarship recipient, finished high school in three years and came to the University of Alaska Fairbanks after finishing his accelerated high school career.

"The $1,000 (national merit) scholarship was sufficient to cover expenses for my first year," Benitz recalled. "After that, I received a General Motors scholarship for $1,000 each year until I graduated in 1973." Benitz recalled that Jack Distad was with him every step of the way, guiding his studies and helping him develop a solid background for future success.

Benitz’ life has continued to be a series of firsts. After graduating from the Stanford School of Medicine in 1978, Benitz went on to practice pediatrics. He then joined the faculty at Stanford, where he was named the first Philip Sunshine, MD, Professor of Neonatology.